Memories Beneath The Shore

Chapter 19

"I'll introduce you to my friends later" Keiran said, sounding so excited.

This is the first time he mentioned his friends to me. His friends piqued my curiosity. I wonder what kind of friends they are. Kung paano kami itrato ni Keiran sa La Rosa, ganun din ba siya sa mga kaibigan niya dito?

"They're all nice. You'll like them for sure, especially Guin"

I can't help but to smile while looking at him but deep inside, there's something that is bothering me.

I averted my gaze to him and focused my attention on the view outside of the car window.

Tall buildings, spacious fields and rich looking teenagers that are obviously out of my league. Ang layo-layo ng agwat ko sa kanila. I feel so small. Walang dagat. Walang bukid. Sobrang layo sa kinalakihan ko. So this is the environment he grew up with.

"This is Finn, Leomer and Lucas" Keiran introduced.

I waved a little and smiled at the three guys sitting on the couch. Leomer smiled at me and greeted me back. Lucas who looked confused gave me a small nod. Lastly, Finn didn't mutter any word. Nakatakip lang ito sa bibig at nakatingin lang kay Keiran. Keiran on the other side- ignored him.

"Sabi sayo nagbibinata na e" biglang tawa ni Finn na nagpataka naman sakin.

"Geez, lumalaki ka na talaga Keiran!" Sunod na tawa ni Lucas. I turned to look at Keiran hoping for an answer.

"And this is Guin" Keiran ignored the three guys again. I pouted.

Why is he ignoring them? Is there something wrong? I thought he was excited to introduce them to me?

Nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang biglang may mag-abot ng kamay sakin. I looked at the one who offered me a hand and that's when a saw a short haired mestiza girl standing in front of me. I was too stunned to react. She's probably just our age and she really is pretty. I'm not lying or over exaggerating.

SHE. REALLY. IS. PRETTY.

"Guinevere and you are?" Her brows raised.

I cleared my throat "Aya"

When I was about to reach for her hand, kaagad niya itong iniwas.

"Tagal" she muttered and rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Keiran.

"Look" she crossed both of her arms and heaved a sigh.

"I lost count on how many times I tried to call and message you pero hindi mo man lang ako sinasagot. You spent a whole day going back and forth sa La Rosa instead of resting. Competition na natin mamaya tapos pagod ka?"

"I'm not tired, Guin. Besides, I have to fetch Aya" depensa ni Keiran.

"Bakit Kean? Hindi ba marunong mag-commute yan?"

I heard O's at the background. My gaze lowered down as I suddenly feel so ashamed.

Excitement ate me to the point na hindi ko man lang naisip na baka pagod si Keiran. He spent weeks of practicing at may hinahabol ding siyang quizzes sa school. Guin was right. Sana nag-commute nalang ako instead na sunduin ni Keiran. Never pa ako nakapag-commute papuntang Manila but I guess kaya ko naman siguro if I tried?

My head lifted up to Kieran when I felt him squeezing my hand, assuring me that it's fine. His gaze is still locked at Guin and Guin on the other side- I saw how her brows shot up while looking at Keiran's hands.

"We talked about this at tsaka desisyon ko yun, Guin"

"I'm just worried at you, Kean. Ayoko ko kasing makitang pinapahirapan ka. You don't deserve that" she looked at me as she emphasized every word coming out from her mouth.